NHL to offer real-time results in all-star voting

Western Conference player Dion Phaneuf (R) of the Calgary Flames scores a goal on Eastern Conference goalie Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins in the third period during the NHL's All-Star game in Atlanta January 27, 2008.

Credit: Reuters/Pool

CHICAGO (Reuters) - The National Hockey League said on Monday it will be the first major sports league to offer real-time results from all-star fan voting on its website.

Fans of the North American professional sports league will be able to vote as often as they want at www.nhl.com from November 12 to January 2 for the all-star game in Montreal on January 25, the NHL said. Results of the voting, which can be done in English or French, will be available on a real-time basis.

"By making real-time results available to our fans on NHL.com, we're allowing a level of transparency and engagement that no sports league has ever done," Brian Jennings, the NHL's vice president of marketing, said in a statement.

Fans in the United States or Canada also will be able to vote via text message.

Fans can vote for up to six players -- three forwards, two defense players and a goalie -- for both the Eastern and Western conferences. Also, for the first time, fans can select as few as one player per ballot.